Tuesday, February 10, 2015

Shoot Cameras Not Guns is pleased to announce our involvement in the Chiang Mai Month of Photography- a series of photography exhibits run by F/28.The exhibit, "Breaking Free" has traveled around Denver, USA, and will now be on display in Chiang Mai, Thailand through February 28, 2015. The OPENING PARTY will be this Saturday, February 14, 2015.

The images in this series were taken by students of the 2013 workshops in Burma and Thailand, former students who now help run the program, and by Diana Sabreen (SCNG Founder, Executive Director, and photographer). These images were created by past and current students from this population. You can read about these photographers throughout the exhibit.

Burma (also called Myanmar) is at a critical point in its history. After more than 50 years of oppressive military rule, the government is shifting towards democracy. Citizens continue to fight for human rights such as freedom of speech and expression, risking political imprisonment.Since freedom of the press is just being developed in Burma, it is important for journalists and activists to learn international standards for accurate and truthful journalism. With the right tools, our students are able to provide engaging visual evidence of what is happening in their communities. These photographs spark critical conversations about their lives both locally and globally.

Burma is literally breaking free of old chains and creating new norms in every aspect of the culture. When we asked one of our photojournalists how he knows what he is allowed to publish, he responded, “We just push the boundaries every day. And if no one comes knocking on our door, we know we can publish this kind of thing.”

About the Project:

Shoot Cameras Not Guns is a Denver-based non-profit that teaches photography as a tool for social change and empowerment. The project leads workshops locally and internationally in underserved and marginalized communities.

In 2013, SCNG continued work with Burmese refugees and journalists-in-exile in Thailand, and launched the program for the first time inside Burma.

Thursday, April 17, 2014

OPENING TOMORROWTomorrow, April 18th is another opening of the Kickstarter-funded show "Breaking Free," the exhibit of photography by Shoot Cameras Not Guns students. The photographers are journalists and activists documenting the life in Burma as well as the border regions of Thailand.

The Helikon Gallery opening reception tomorrow is from 6pm-10pm at 3675 Wynkoop Street in Denver, Colorado.

Cayce from Helikon hanging the show

PUBLIC VIEWING HOURS
If you can't make it tomorrow, you can check out the exhibit during public gallery hours (Tues-Fri 10am-4pm; Sat 12pm-4pm) through May 24, 2014, or check out the other upcoming events at Helikon!